PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between Zbermat Serlal (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Blake Edwards (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Serlal's entrance music is Mortal Kombat . A fine choice. Edwards has chosen Like a surgeon as his entrance music, which hasn't gone down very well with the crowd. Both fighters look fresh as a daisy as they make their way towards the cage.

Serlal
vs
Edwards

205 cm
34
265 lbs
19 - 10 - 0

192 cm
36
237 lbs
32 - 10 - 0

Good wrestling
World class boxer
Insanely flexible

Good wrestler
Lethal high kicks
Granite chin

Perkele!

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 19 - 10 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Zbermat Serlal!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 32 - 10 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Blake Edwards!
The judges for this bout are Johanna Lukiainen, Tarja Halkonen and Marco Blurström.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Serlal cracks Edwards with a hook to the jaw. Both fighters smile at eachother and high-five before getting back down to business.
Edwards misses with a combination
and Serlal counters with a lovely shot to the body.
Serlal closes the distance and clinches up with Edwards, looking for a takedown. Serlal pushes Edwards against the cage but Edwards circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.
Edwards buckles his opponent's knee momentarily with a nice leg kick.
Edwards leaves Serlal with his face pressed against the mat as he sprawls beautifully, defending against a solid takedown attempt.

Serlal looking to shoot here. He's gone for it and he's landed a takedown into side control! Oh, that's bad for Edwards!
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Edwards prevents Serlal from improving position.
Edwards is trying to escape and get back to his feet.
Serlal throws a knee to the body but it doesn't do much damage.
Serlal throwing strikes but Edwards manages to buck up and roll into a nice reversal - now he's on top in side control!
Serlal manages to work his way to half guard, despite Edwards's best efforts.
Serlal is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Serlal slips a foot under and gets full guard. Nice work.
Edwards throwing strikes from guard but Serlal blocks nicely.
Edwards trying to control the position from guard on top but Serlal is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Both fighters really going for it on the ground here!
Edwards passes Serlal's left leg - he's now in half guard.
Edwards trying to control the pace.
Serlal is trying to maintain the position but Edwards is very close to passing his half guard.
Edwards controlling the action here.

Edwards is thinking about going for an arm triangle but he can't free his leg.
Serlal is looking to improve his position.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Edwards is looking to take a break and control but Serlal is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
Serlal won't allow Edwards to pass to mount.
Serlal is trying to get back to full guard.
Edwards with a momentary lay and pray from half guard.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Edwards seems very keen to just sit and control from half guard but Serlal does not like that idea so much and is remaining active off his back.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!

The ref stands the fighters back up. Blake Edwards was stalling too much, according to the referee.
Serlal works Edwards's body with a nice hook.
Edwards feints and then cracks Serlal's leading leg with a nice low kick. He's obviously looking to slow Serlal down.
A jab lands there for Serlal.
Edwards looking to take his opponent's legs away with the low kicks.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Edwards fails miserably with a takedown attempt.
Edwards throws a body punch but Serlal moves out of range.
Serlal is looking light on his feet compared to last time was saw him fight.
Edwards ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Serlal moves away.
No joy there for Edwards, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
Edwards falls off balance throwing a combination
and Serlal counters with a lovely shot to the body.
Serlal lands a nice looking body shot.
Edwards avoids the body shot from Serlal.
Serlal scores with a jab to the jaw of his opponent.

It looks like Blake Edwards has been cut.
Jab from Serlal.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Edwards fakes a jab and scores with a low kick.
Serlal displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Edwards throws out the jab.
Blake Edwards seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Edwards throws a body punch but Serlal moves out of range.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Edwards catches Serlal with a nice straight right. He seems pissed - ooooh, it's on now! On like donkey kong!
Edwards throws a series of punches but Serlal avoids them all with ease.
Edwards thows a body shot but no joy.
Serlal is looking to wear down Edwards with body shots, infact he's throwing more body shots than head shots at the moment.
Serlal lands with a straight right. Edwards didn't see that one coming.
Serlal walks straight into a jab right on the nose. That one stung - he's blinking and trying to clear his head.
Edwards has his head snapped back a nice jab. A little nod from Edwards there as he acknowledges the shot.
Serlal shoots for a takedown but Edwards saw that one coming a mile off and avoided it easily.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Zbermat Serlal. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Edwards throws a poor cross that misses
and Serlal counters nicely by changing levels and landing a hook to the body.
Edwards looks winded!
Good work by Serlal as he checks the leg kick.
Serlal throws a combination. Edwards tries to block but a couple of punches get through.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Edwards ducks under a wild hook from Serlal.
Serlal cracks a nice hook into Edwards's ribs.
Serlal throws a body punch but Edwards moves out of range.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Zbermat Serlal dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Blake Edwards's cut.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business.

Edwards's corner calls for a 1-2. Edwards obliges with the 1 part as he scores the single shot and moves back out of range.
Serlal throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Edwards misses the shot to the body.
Edwards closes the distance and clinches up with Serlal, looking for a takedown. Edwards pushes Serlal against the cage but Serlal circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.
Serlal misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Edwards.
Serlal throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Serlal moves away from the strike by Edwards.
Edwards scores with a leg kick.
Edwards misses with a series of wild punches.
Serlal on the wrong end of a nice low kick. He's acting like it's no big deal but he doesn't want to take many more of those.
Serlal takes a swing at Edwards's ribcage but misses.
Serlal fakes a jab and then connects with a hook.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Serlal chopped to the floor by a nice leg kick but he springs right back up before Edwards can pounce on him.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Serlal shoots in for a takedown! He's got it and he's managed to land in side control! That's better than Serlal was expecting from the takedown attempt, I'm sure!
Edwards sneaks back into half guard.
Serlal wants to pass to mount but Edwards is defending the position.
Zbermat Serlal overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Edwards keeping his head moving to avoid the ground and pound.
Serlal tries to pass to full mount but Edwards defends it.
Edwards is looking to control Serlal's leg but it's slowly edging free. Can Edwards avoid being mounted?

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Edwards is looking to improve his position.
Edwards slips a foot under and gets full guard. Nice work.
Serlal tries to free his leg and advance position but Edwards is retaining full guard.

Serlal got a little sloppy there for a moment and Edwards has worked his way into a loose triangle - can he finish it?! No, Serlal has managed to get both his arms back between Edwards's legs - danger averted.
Serlal loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Edwards keeping full guard, as Serlal tries to pass.
Hammerfist, elbow! yells Serlal's corner. There ya go! There ya go!
Serlal throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
Edwards keeping full guard, as Serlal tries to pass.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Serlal postures up in Edwards's guard and throws a big left but Edwards blocks it.
Edwards wants to sweep but no luck.
Serlal throws a big elbow that misses.
Serlal tries to free his leg and advance position but Edwards is retaining full guard.
Serlal postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
Serlal throws an elbow that misses. Edwards uses the momentum to reverse the position. He's now in Serlal's guard. Nice move by Edwards!
Serlal wants to sweep here but Edwards controlling him for the moment.
Edwards slips nicely into half guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Serlal is pressing down on Edwards's left leg trying to get back to full guard. He's managed it.
Serlal will need to keep those long limbs tucked in whilst he's on the ground, to prevent any submissions.
Edwards wants to control from the top but Serlal keeps moving.
Edwards pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Serlal is keeping the position for now.
Serlal looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
Edwards trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Serlal is working an open guard here, looking to improve his position. No doubt that will leave him open to counters but at least he's being more offensive.
Serlal has been looking to land a fair amount of strikes on the ground. He might be looking to soften his opponent up in order to work for a submission.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Serlal seems keen to control Edwards's posture.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Edwards trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
Serlal is controlling Edwards's posture.
Serlal looking for a sweep. Not yet Serlal, not yet.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Zbermat Serlal dominated that second round.
The cut man is working on Blake Edwards's cut.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action! So, we enter the final round. Let's see if either fighter can bring us a finish, or whether we're going to the judges scorecards.

Serlal throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Serlal throws a jab, cross combination which is slipped
and Edwards counters with a straight right hand.
A really sloppy takedown attempt there from Serlal.
Edwards cracks a nice hook into Serlal's ribs.
Edwards lands a slapping body shot.
Edwards lands an overhand left. A wild punch that just about connected.
Serlal takes a hook to the side of the head. I wonder if that's got his ears ringing.
Serlal takes a jab on the nose. He smiles like he loves it and keeps coming.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Good shot there by Edwards.
Serlal throws a lazy uppercut
and Edwards connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
Serlal throws a right and a left that both miss.
Edwards connects with a jab.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Edwards lands with a thumping leg kick.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Serlal fails with the takedown.
Serlal misses with a hook. Edwards ducked under it nicely.
Serlal moves out of range of the body kick.
Serlal on the wrong end of a nice low kick. He's acting like it's no big deal but he doesn't want to take many more of those.
Edwards scores with a nice head shot.

Edwards clinches up with Serlal and pushes him back against the cage.
Serlal tries to jump guard but he falls flat on his backside. Edwards smiles and moves away.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Zbermat Serlal. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Edwards connects with a solid leg kick.
Serlal is using his height advantage well here, landing a good percentage of his punches.
Serlal lands with a cross.
Blake Edwards has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Edwards scores with a straight right hand, right through his opponent's guard.
Edwards ducks low and lands a nice hook to the body of his opponent.
Edwards lands a nice looking body shot.

Edwards shoots in for a takedown from distance. He catches Serlal napping and manages to drive through into side control!
Edwards controls the position.

Edwards is looking for a kimura. He might have it! No, Serlal has escaped the position, nice work there.
Serlal is not in a great position here, taking some shots.
Edwards tries to advance to mount but Serlal denies him.
Serlal manages to work his way to half guard, despite Edwards's best efforts.
Edwards tries to pass to full mount but Serlal defends it.
Serlal wants to improve his position but Edwards is controlling well.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Edwards trying to pass the guard but Serlal defending well.
Serlal tries to get to full guard but Edwards has control of the leg.
Edwards is scoring with some nice ground and pound from the dominant position.
Serlal has hold of Edwards's hands but Edwards slips his arm to the side and lands an elbow.
Serlal manages to get to full guard.
Serlal keeping moving, preventing Edwards from controlling successfully.
Serlal keeping full guard, as Edwards tries to pass.
Serlal working a defensive guard here.
Edwards trying to control the position from guard on top but Serlal is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Edwards in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
Edwards lands a couple of elbows.

Edwards drops back looking for a leg! Serlal is in trouble here! The fighters roll with the hold and Serlal manages to kick Edwards off! Edwards jumps back into Serlal's guard.
Serlal looking for a sweep. Not yet Serlal, not yet.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Edwards is frustrating his opponent with some stalling tactics from top position.
Serlal tries to land a sweep but no joy.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Edwards cracks Serlal with a solid left hand.
Edwards makes a bit of distance and scores with some ground and pound, still in guard.
Edwards won't allow Serlal to sweep him here.
Serlal is trying to control the position from the bottom.

And that's the end of the fight!
Blake Edwards comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I think Serlal has won this one but let's see what the judges have to say. Over to the ring announcer for the scorecards.

Ladies and gentlemen, after 3 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge Johanna Lukiainen scores the fight 29:28
Judge Tarja Halkonen scores the fight 29:28
Judge Marco Blurström scores the fight 29:28

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Zbermat Serlal!
After winning the bout, Zbermat Serlal thanked all his fans and promised he'd do even better in his next fight. The crowd seemed to love his humility.